Can a Girl Get Pregnant Right After Her Period Ends?

Can a girl get pregnant when she’s just gotten over her period?– Katherine*

Yes! Having unprotected sex at any time is risky and can result in pregnancy. Sometimes ovulation — the time when a girl is most likely to become pregnant — can happen within a few days of when your period ends. Also, sperm can fertilize an egg for 72 hours (3 days) after ejaculation.

Having unprotected sex at any time is very risky — a girl can even get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Along with the chance of becoming pregnant, there is also the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia, genital warts, or HIV.

The only surefire way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence. If you do have sex, use a condom every time to protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. And talk to your doctor about additional forms of contraception.